With Trumps inauguration the 20th January was seen as a public concern by many British citizens fearing that this case and many others including the Ricky Jones case, all scheduled on the 20th, would be side-lined. Now that the case has been postponed it alleviates the concerns of a conspiracy theory by authorities to hide the story due to the interest in the inauguration.
The Event:
Lt Col Mark Teeton, was stabbed multiple times from behind by Anthony Esan just before 1800 BST on Tuesday July 23, 2024, in Sally Port Gardens, near Brompton Barracks in Gillingham.
After the stabbing Esan, was swiftly arrested by police. He is accused of attempted murder of an army officer in uniform. At the hearing at Maidstone Crown Court, at the request of the prosecution (and in agreement with the defence team) the court was vacated.
The trial has been postponed, it is unclear why. It is likely the prosecution wish to prepare their case, with attempted murder it is often difficult to prove the intent was to kill. There are also possible implications with the Mental Health Act 1983. The next progress hearing will be held on April 1, 2025, however, no new trial date has been announced. Esan was not in court during the hearing and was remanded back into custody.
On a more positive note, Lt Col Teeton was discharged from hospital in August. He stated that he took strength and comfort from all the messages of support he received. Since his ‘horrific experience’, a gofundme appeal raised almost £50,000 for Lt Col Mark Teeton. He stated, "Our family cannot thank those people enough.” The appeal was set up by Darren Grimes from GB News.
Why was the 20th January seen as a cover-up?
Our government, the very people we are supposed to trust, are seen as incompetent by a large proportion of the British people. The British people appear to feel disempowered by this. There is a widespread belief in society that individual agency cannot affect the government’s regime.
As a result of this disempowerment, they defer to other perceived authorities believing that they have the solutions. As Sowell stated in his book Discrimination and Disparities (2018) “There has never been a shortage of people eager to draw up blueprints for running other people’s lives.” With this lack of trust in government and the power of social media it appears people have turned to online influencers.
These influencers have promoted a narrative that is biased towards the cognitive perceptions of the very people disempowered by our lack of agency to create change.
As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK Criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation surrounding any case law relevant to our articles:
Under UK law, knife crime is governed by the Criminal Justice Act 1988, the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, and related legislation. It is illegal to carry a knife or bladed article in public without a lawful reason. Possession of a knife in public can result in up to 4 years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine. Repeat offenders face a mandatory minimum sentence of 6 months’ imprisonment for adults, while youths can receive a detention and training order.
Using a knife to threaten or cause harm carries more severe penalties. Under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953, carrying a knife with the intent to cause fear or injury can lead to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense. Murder or manslaughter involving a knife invokes the Sentencing Guidelines Council’s minimum term of 25 years where the offender brought the knife to the scene.
The legal consequences of knife possession escalate significantly if the offense involves aggravating factors such as gang affiliation, prior convictions, or the presence of children. Judges must balance deterrence and public protection with available prison space, but overcrowding has strained this balance. The justice system is under immense pressure to prioritize sentencing that reflects the seriousness of knife-related offenses while addressing the systemic limitations highlighted in this article.
In all cases, ignorance of the law is no defence. Carrying a knife without a legitimate reason—such as employment requiring its use—can result in swift arrest and prosecution. Public safety campaigns continue to emphasize that carrying a knife increases the risk of becoming a victim of violence rather than preventing it. The stakes could not be higher, and the law remains uncompromising.
Knife crime is not inevitable. It is a preventable plague that demands bravery, both in policy and public discourse. Only then can we honour the memories of Keylan Bokassa, Daejaun Campbell, and all the others who have fallen victim to senseless violence.
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.
Konrad Chapman
Science Correspondent
VPN - City-Desk
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